[01] Mhommed Adnan Ibrahim, College of Science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq. [02] Husni Abdulla Mhammad, College of Science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq. [03] Qays Lazgin Barany, College of Science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq.

Zinc and copper are vital elements for growth, reproduction and development which are components of some cellular enzyme and play an important role in the stabilizing of some cellular membrane. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intestinal parasites and serum levels of zinc and copper in children of Duhok City/Kurdistan Region in Iraq, because despite the significant recent advances in the knowledge of the molecular biology and biochemistry of E. histolytica little is known about the pathogenesis of Entamoebasis and there relation with these two elements in Duhok City. The study started from 12/2014 to 8/2015. In this study a total of 15 infested and 31 non-infested persons as a control group were selected from total 44 samples. Stool samples were collected from all cases and controls and examined for detection of cyst and/ or trophozoite of Entamoeba and Giardia from each patient with 5 ml blood sample was obtained for estimation of zinc and copper. In this study, serum zinc levels in infected children were significantly lower when compared with healthy children, it was found a decrease level in serum zinc in 50% of cyst and/ or trophozoite of Entamoeba positive group, but copper level showed no statistical significant difference in comparison with healthy children. It has been concluded that intestinal parasites affect the level of serum zinc in testes children during present study.

Zinc, Copper, Intestinal Parasites and Children

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